Flash floods have claimed 189 lives in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) as relentless monsoon rains continue to wreak havoc across the province. Since late June, the deadly combination of floods and landslides has displaced thousands, destroyed homes, and left many missing in remote areas. Authorities warn that heavy rain is expected to persist until August 21, further complicating rescue and relief operations.
Widespread Destruction Across Districts
The Provincial Disaster Management Authority (PDMA) reported that 163 men, 14 women, and 12 children have died in the province. Buner district has suffered the worst loss, with 91 fatalities. Swat saw the destruction of 26 homes, while Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra also recorded high death tolls. In total, 45 houses, three schools, and eight other structures have been completely destroyed.
Officials confirmed that 37 additional houses were partially damaged. Roads remain blocked, livestock losses are mounting, and many villages are cut off from emergency services.
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Government Mobilizes Relief Funds
On the directive of KP Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur, Rs500 million has been released for relief work. The breakdown includes Rs150 million for Buner, Rs100 million each for Bajaur, Battagram, and Mansehra, and Rs50 million for Swat.
The PDMA has instructed local administrations to prepare for more rain and strengthen rescue efforts. Helicopters, boats, and ground teams are being deployed to reach isolated communities.
Helicopter Crash Claims Five Lives
A rescue helicopter sent to Bajaur with supplies tragically crashed due to bad weather. The incident killed two pilots and three crew members. The provincial government declared a day of mourning, with flags to be flown at half-mast. Rescue teams have recovered the bodies, and officials have pledged full state honors for the deceased.
Buner Under Emergency
Buner Deputy Commissioner Kashif Qayum Khan confirmed 78 deaths and declared a district-wide emergency. Pir Baba Bazaar and nearby neighborhoods are completely submerged. A mosque in Gokand collapsed, and livestock losses are severe. The exact number of missing persons remains unknown.
Helicopters are evacuating stranded residents, while rescue teams continue searching submerged areas. Officials say the full scale of the disaster will only be clear once floodwaters recede.
Other Hard-Hit Areas
In Bajaur, flash floods killed 21 people, including eight children. Battagram lost 15 men to lightning strikes, while Mansehra reported 14 deaths due to floods. Swat recorded 11 fatalities from both floods and thunder strikes. Lower Dir saw five deaths from a roof collapse, and Shangla reported two similar casualties.
Rescue operations are hindered by intermittent rain and poor communication networks, especially in border villages of Battagram and Mansehra.
On-the-Ground Rescue Efforts
Rescue 1122 confirmed recovering more than 157 bodies so far and rescuing over 100 people. Teams are navigating washed-out roads, damaged bridges, and landslide-prone slopes to reach trapped residents. In Lower Dir, rescuers trekked for three hours in heavy rain to reach victims of a roof collapse.
Authorities are prioritizing evacuations from flood-prone and isolated areas. Boats and helicopters are being used where possible, though weather remains a constant obstacle.
National and Regional Support
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed federal agencies to assist in Battagram and other affected districts. Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah expressed solidarity with KP’s leadership and offered medical facilities in Karachi for the injured.
KP Governor Faisal Karim Kundi acknowledged the possibility of declaring a provincial emergency. Political representatives from Malakand Division are urging urgent federal assistance.
Northern Pakistan Also Hit
The flooding extends beyond KP. In Azad Jammu and Kashmir, landslides buried six family members in Muzaffarabad. Two more women died in Bagh and Sudhnoti. In Gilgit-Baltistan, eight people died in Ghizer district, with villages in Khalti, Ishkoman, and Yasin suffering heavy damage.
Abbottabad district experienced traffic blockages and infrastructure damage after intense rain triggered flash floods.
Rising National Death Toll
Since June 26, torrential rains and flash floods have killed at least 325 people nationwide, including 142 children. The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) reports 743 injuries and widespread destruction in multiple provinces.
With rain forecast to continue, authorities are bracing for more challenges. Relief teams are racing against time to deliver food, shelter, and medical aid to those in need, while communities across Pakistan struggle to recover from one of the deadliest monsoon seasons in recent years.
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